Page 33 of Shadow and Skulls

“So, you screamed, huh? Damn mute option,” he grumbles. “We’re headed back tomorrow,” he adds, completely ignoring my comment about his imminent death.

Once I’m dressed, I give myself a once over in the mirror. My cheeks are flushed. “Whatever. I’m going to let you go. I’ll talk to you when you get back. That is if my dad doesn’t dispose of your dead body in a ditch somewhere along the way.”

His laugh filters through the phone as I hang up on him.

I rush down the stairs, slowing my steps as I reach the bottom. JD is looking out the front window. It’s dark outside, so …

Our eyes connect in the reflection of the glass.

The bad feeling tries to creep in, but I’m not going to let it. This is the first time … well, the first time something sexual left me feeling good. It’s not from the orgasms, either. I’ve had thembefore. Your body will do things against your will, trust me. I don’t know … I just feel good. In fact, I think I’d like to try it again. So, I’m not going to let anyone make me feel bad about it. Not even JD. I’m an adult. Not a child.

He slowly spins around to face me. “I’m sorry,” he says, dropping his gaze to the floor. “I heard you yell and thought someone was hurting you.” His cheeks turn bright red over his greying beard.

I tug at the bottom of my sweater. “Um, I should have locked the door.”

He shakes his head sadly. “What are you doing, Kelsie?”

“I … it was nothing.”

His jaw ticks, and his fists clench into balls by his side. “He’s a Skull.”

I fold my arms over my chest. “What? Am I not good enough for a Skull?”

“That’s not what I mean, and you know it. What about Jason? This isn’t like you.”

“Like me?”

He runs his hand through his hair. “You’re not a cheater.”

The laughter that erupts from me makes him take a step back. “Jason and I aren’t together anymore.” I wave him off, done with this conversation. I’m suddenly very hungry.

“You can’t see Tank, Kelsie.” He follows me into the kitchen.

“Oh really?”

He watches me dish out last night’s leftovers onto a plate. “Kelsie, talk to me.”

I sit down across from him, shoveling the first bite into my mouth. “He’s helping me,” I finally admit when I see he’s not going to give up.

“He’s taking advantage of you.”

“He’s not.”

“He is.”

“I know what it feels like to be taken advantage of, JD. This is not that.”

The front door swings open, and my mom rushes in. I narrow my eyes on him. Did he call her already?

She pauses, looking at us both before focusing her attention on me. Her gaze roams over my neck. “Charlotte said she gave you the necklace.”

My hand instantly trails over my throat where the necklace had been before I broke it. “Yeah, it’s in my jewelry box upstairs.”

“Why aren’t you wearing it?”

I shrug. “I don’t want to lose it. I know how special it is to all of you.”

Her big brown eyes blink rapidly. “Kelsie, a little girl has been wearing it. You’re not going to lose it.”

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